Our School

QUALITY HEAVY EQUIPMENT TRAINING SINCE 1959

Since 1959, West Coast Training has been working with students to help them realize their ambitions and increase their earning potential with heavy equipment certification programs.

Jeff Woolever

Administrator / Co-Owner

Our History

Our owner, Jeff Woolever, spent 20 years flying combat patrol and reconnaissance missions in the U.S. Navy. When he left, he realized he didn’t want to be tied down to a desk or trapped in a cubicle, so he decided to pursue a second career, one where he could work outdoors—heavy equipment operation. Jeff went to West Coast Training to get his career started. One thing led to another, and he ended up buying the school himself.

As a heavy equipment operator, Jeff quickly realized that many schools in the country weren’t adequately preparing students for a long and rewarding career. He felt obliged to create a different kind of school, one that focused on giving the student a thorough, rigorous, and focused education. From Jeff’s perspective, this kind of education was the best way to make the student’s career as rewarding as it could be.

JEFF WOOLEVER’S APPROACH

Jeff focused on using the best curriculum, hiring the best instructors, and maintaining a fleet of high-quality heavy equipment to run on a dedicated, all-weather training site.

“I see the tremendous opportunity for well-trained men and women in the Heavy Construction field who want to play a part in helping motivated students achieve success,” says Woolever.

“My team of trainers and I know and love the Heavy Construction Industry. It has been good to us, and we work hard to see that each student gets as much out of the West Coast experience as is possible. For us, the ultimate test of our effectiveness is their employment success.”

Two construction workers talking in front of heavy equipment.
Two construction workers talking in front of heavy equipment.

OUR SCHOOL CREDENTIALS

West Coast Training is licensed by the State of Washington and is an Accredited Training Unit of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). We also conform to National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) guidelines. We offer hands on education in 8-week heavy equipment operation, 4-week mobile crane operator, 8-week crane operator/rigger, and more.

These credentials are nationally recognized, meaning that a West Coast Training graduate is qualified for employment anywhere in the country and abroad. Because we are committed to our students’ future, we also provide graduate employment services that include resume preparation, interview practice, and guidance throughout the job search. Financial assistance and veterans benefits are also available.

THE WOODLAND LOCATION

Our campus is located just 45 minutes north of Portland International Airport (PDX). We are situated on the banks of the Columbia River, just outside of Woodland, Washington. Students can find much in the way of recreation in the area. You can drive two hours west to the beaches of the Pacific or inland, to snow skiing in the Cascades. Portland, offering all the excitement of a big city, is less than an hour away. In even less time, you can find yourself angling for salmon and trout at a quiet spot on a local stream.

West Coast Training is the best way to secure a rewarding career in outdoor construction. Schedule a time to tour our heavy equipment school facility and to see us in action, and feel free to ask us any questions you may have. Contact us.

Two construction workers talking in front of heavy equipment.

OUR STUDENTS